Latest news with #Samar
Express Tribune
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
5 hottest Pakistani tracks you need to listen to right now
The Pakistani music industry is evolving - and fast. What was once dominated by traditional sounds and little experimentation is now a genre-bending space where indie, R&B, pop and acoustic soul all sit at the same table. Artists are experimenting more than ever, walking toe to toe with global trends while keeping that distinct desi flavour that makes our sound instantly recognisable. And the world is definitely noticing. So, here is our round-up of the 5 hottest Pakistani tracks you need to add to your playlists right now! 1. Kya Sach Ho Tum – Amna Riaz Amna wrote this song for her husband, and you can feel that. There's something so personal about the way she sings it. The vocals are soft but piercing; the melody is simple but moving. That is exactly why it's going viral on every social media platform right now. 2. Main Rahun – Samar Jafri Yes, he's the guy from Parwarish. And no, this is not some side project. Samar is a musician first and he lets you know that by dropping one of the most emotional ballads of the year. His voice is full of longing, but it never feels forced. Whether you're missing someone or just in your sad boy era, this one's for you. 3. Guzaarishen – Alistair Alvin & Samar Jafri Samar's back, this time with Alistair Alvin, and together they sound unreal. Guzaarishen is the rich and layered soundtrack to Parwarish and perfect for its romantic drama energy. Listen to it when you want to feel like the main character in a slow-motion heartbreak scene. 4. Pal Pal – Afusic & Alisoomromusic This track is basically a floating daydream. Pal Pal has been gaining traction online for a while now and for good reason. It's chill, ambient, and feels like watching the city blur past from a car window. Save this for when you're zoning out and loving it. 5. Jhol (Acoustic) – Maanu & Annural Khalid You already know Jhol. It's been one of Maanu's most popular tracks for months, and the acoustic version takes it to another level. Annural's voice adds a softness that makes the whole song feel way more intimate. It feels like hearing a secret between friends. No wonder people keep coming back to it. Bonus: Maand – Bayaan, Hasan Raheem & Rovalio This collab didn't come to play. Bayaan brings the poetry, Hasan brings the swag, and Rovalio pulls it all together with a beat that sounds fresh out of the future. Maand feels like something new but still familiar. It's fun, and a sign of what's next for Pakistani alt-pop. If this isn't on your playlist yet, fix that.
Campaign ME
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
Gen Z and Gen Alpha demand authentic connection, not cringe campaigns
Sinead O'Connor: In the relentless pursuit of relevance, brands are aggressively trying to capture the attention and loyalty of Gen Z and the newly emerging Gen Alpha. But whilst billions are poured into campaigns every year, are we actually speaking to this audience, or simply at them? Rather than speculating from the outside, we went straight to the source. Samar is a bright 16-year old currently with us on work experience, so we asked her one big question: 'What do brands consistently get wrong about your generation, and what do they need to understand to truly connect?' In this piece, Samar offers her candid insights on effective engagement with her and her peers. If we want to better market to their generation, it's time we listen. Samar Shaibani: It's no surprise to us, the younger generations, to see another minute-long advert with flashy colours and scripted dialogue. We have grown up online and seen it over and over again. More often than not, I find myself watching a thirty-second video of an influencer trying their new makeup routine over a brand's own thirty-second ad. We are no longer excited or interested in the same old campaigns or repetitive products disguised as 'new'. To be honest, it's inauthentic. Seeing Dior launch the same 'Jadore' perfume to a new edition of Nike Tech being released hasn't exactly sparked conversations or captivated our attention. Speak my language Brands try to reach me through teen-speak when it often comes off as cringe and awkward. Seeing a brand use terms like 'bae' and 'baddie' gives me second-hand embarrassment. It just reminds me of how detached they are from me. Rather than building a genuine connection, it disregards our cultural values and beliefs. This, paired with meaningless content and a lack of representation of social and ethical issues, is an immediate turn-off. We are not a passive audience. On the contrary, we care. We notice ignorance about issues surrounding us and want brands that resonate with our values and speak to us like our equals. Rather than brands maximising their profit by minimising their risk, we need brands that are willing to take a risk for us. This traditional advertising also misses where most younger generations truly hang out: TikTok. Traditional adverts rely on perfect visuals that often feel out of place. What is successful now is understanding. We need relatability and transparency to be immersed in and connect with brands Authenticity shapes aesthetics We are driven by influencers and their authenticity as well as their need to be helpful to us. Many large influencers follow mass trends, chasing the 'going viral reward', while micro-influencers are the ones most important to us. These creators highlight a community, frequently sharing their routines and replying to comments. I feel satisfied with their suggestions and would trust them with my life instantaneously. They cater to what speaks to us the most: an aesthetic. Their aesthetic isn't bland and focused on visuals, but rather it's a lifestyle. When brands authentically collaborate with them, it doesn't feel like a promotion, but a recommendation. Aesthetics have been a large influence on us, from the 'coquette' to the 'chic'. When a brand makes a specific aesthetic for their brand identity, it becomes incredibly successful through our interest and captivation. I have the urge to be consumed by that specific aesthetic being portrayed. I need it injected into my veins. Marketing for us, not to us Take 'Rhode' by Hailey Bieber, for example. Her brand has a focal point on the 'clean girl' aesthetic and its association with being put together, classy and effortlessly minimalistic. This aesthetic isn't compatible with a mass audience. However, it flourishes in the target demographic. View this post on Instagram A post shared by rhode skin (@rhode) The BoldxCollective marketing agency has acknowledged this, saying: 'The brand's minimalistic packaging, sleek branding, and the promise of fresh, hydrated skin align with a generation's desire for authenticity.' Alternatively, Duolingo is self-involved in TikTok culture. They are incredibly aware of our sense of humour and present their personality authentically. I actually laugh at their posts, losing hours scrolling through their page and their funny comments replying to us. Even if they don't have a focal point of being aesthetic, we feel like they resonate with our perspective, creating a strong connection between them and us. Gen Z and Gen Alpha want brands to stop marketing to us but rather for us. We need a change towards transparency, risk, and authenticity. We need you to change to cater to our needs, stop being cautious and take that leap of faith. Connect with us. Trust us. We don't want to see picture-perfect adverts, we need originality. By Samar Shaibani, Grade 12, Dubai English Speaking College and Sinead O'Connor, Senior Director, Current Global MENAT
The Independent
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Russia launches largest missile and drone attack on Ukraine since start of war
A Russian missile attack killed three people and wounded at least 14 in the city of Samar in Ukraine 's Dnipropetrovsk region on Friday, the governor said. This was the second Russian missile attack in the last three days on the industrial city in central Ukraine. Regional officials have no immediate details on the damage. It comes as South Korea 's intelligence agency warned that Russia could be preparing to launch a big summer attack on Ukraine with help from more North Korean troops. The country's National Intelligence Service (NIS) said Moscow could be readying to mount a large-scale assault against Ukraine in July or August. The NIS told South Korean lawmakers that North Korea would likely send 6,000 additional military personnel to Russia. Meanwhile, Ukraine has received from Russia a number of its soldiers who were hailed as "heroes" for their role in defending besieged Mariupol, part of the latest prisoner swap between the two countries that was agreed in Istanbul. Trump would join peace talks between Putin and Zelensky, says Erdogan Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Donald Trump told him he would attend potential peace talks between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia in Turkey. But it all depends on if Russian president Vladimir Putin also agreed to take part, Mr Erdogan said. On his return flight from a Nato summit at The Hague, where he met Mr Trump for the first time since the latter returned to office, Mr Erdogan said he told the US president Ankara aims to bring the Russian and Ukrainian leaders together in Turkey for peace talks. "He (Trump) said, 'if Russian president Vladimir Putin comes to Istanbul or Ankara for a solution, then I will also come," Mr Erdogan told reporters, according to his office. "We will hold the necessary contacts and God willing realise this meeting as soon as possible." Alexander Butler27 June 2025 13:00 Airstrikes and sleeper agents: how Putin has repeatedly tried to killed Zelensky Airstrikes and sleeper agents: how Putin has repeatedly tried to killed Zelensky Ukrainian President has reportedly survived dozens of assassination attempts - Kyiv's security service says they have foiled at least three Alexander Butler27 June 2025 12:00 Zelensky welcomes home fresh batch of Ukrainian prisoners of war Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed home a new batch of the country's soldiers taken captive by Russia as the two sides exchanged more prisoners of war yesterday. 'We are continuing the exchanges, another stage has taken place. Today, warriors of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service are returning home. Most of them had been in captivity since 2022,' he said in a post on X. 'We are doing everything possible to find each person, to verify the information on every name. We must bring all our people home,' he said, just days after he said Russia had sent some of its own dead soldiers to Ukraine in a swap of fallen soldiers. He also shared an emotional video of the Ukrainian soldiers reuniting with their loved ones upon return to the country at an undisclosed location. The returned soldiers are seen draped in Ukrainian flags, hugging and crying their loved ones, calling their family members, drinking a beverage and smoking. Alexander Butler27 June 2025 11:30 Moscow planning summer attack with North Korea, Seoul warns South Korea's intelligence agency warned that Russia could be preparing to launch a big summer attack on Ukraine with help from more North Korean troops. The country's National Intelligence Service (NIS) said Moscow could be readying to mount a large-scale assault against Ukraine in July or August. The NIS told South Korean politicans that North Korea would likely send 6,000 additional military personnel to Russia. Alexander Butler27 June 2025 11:02 North Korea's deployment to Ukraine will be 'significant battlefield inflection' – ISW North Korea's deployment of its troops to Ukrainian territory will represent 'significant battlefield inflection', the Institute for the Study of War. 'The North Korean and Russian military commands authorising the deployment of North Korean forces to Ukrainian territory would mark a significant battlefield inflection that may improve Russian forces' ability to sustain simultaneous offensive operations in multiple directions, which the Russian military has traditionally struggled to conduct,' the US-based think tank said in its latest assessment. According to the South Korean intelligence, North Korea may deploy an unspecified number of additional North Korean forces to Russia to fight against Ukraine as early as July or August 2025 and that North Korea continues to arm Russia with artillery ammunition and missiles. Alexander Butler27 June 2025 11:00 Russian missile attack kills three A Russian missile attack killed three people and wounded at least 14 in the city of Samar in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region on Friday, the governor said. This was the second Russian missile attack in the last three days on the industrial city in central Ukraine. Regional officials gave no immediate details on damage. Alexander Butler27 June 2025 10:54 Watch: Trump shows concern for worried BBC Ukraine reporter during press conference Alexander Butler27 June 2025 10:30 Ukraine and Russia battle it out in war's hottest sector Sumy. Here's what we know so far Ukraine has announced it has pushed back Russian forces on the battlefield and said they have prevented an advance into the northern Sumy region, which has been one of the hottest fighting areas along the war frontline. Ukraine's top military commander, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that Ukrainian successes in Sumy have prevented Russia from deploying about 50,000 Russian troops, including elite airborne and marine brigades, to other areas of the frontline. Here's what we know about the region caught in heavy attacks. Sumy, the city which is the capital of the Ukrainian region of the same name, had a prewar population of around 250,000. It lies about 20km (12 miles) from the frontline. Russia's push into the region earlier this year compelled Ukraine to strengthen its defences there. Sumy borders Russia's Kursk region, where a surprise Ukrainian incursion last year captured a pocket of land in the first occupation of Russian territory since the Second World War. The long border is vulnerable to Ukrainian incursions, Russian president Vladimir Putin said, and creating a buffer zone could help Russia prevent further cross-border attacks there. General Syrskyi said a special defence group has been formed to improve security in Sumy and surrounding communities, with a focus on improving fortifications and accelerating construction of defensive barriers. Alexander Butler27 June 2025 10:00 Britain must 'actively prepare' for a war on home soil, major government review warns UK must 'actively prepare' for a war on home soil, major government review warns The new National Security Strategy has been published with a grim warning as international turmoil in the Middle East and Ukraine continues Alexander Butler27 June 2025 09:30 The myriad countries arming Russia and Ukraine – and the billions it costs Alexander Butler27 June 2025 09:00
The Guardian
28-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Two dead and at least 14 injured in Russian drone attack on Odesa
Three children were among those injured in an overnight attack in the Ukrainian Black Sea city, with one in critical condition, regional governor, Oleh Kiper, has said. The attack came after Ukraine's military said it struck four warplanes at an airbase in central Russia's Volgograd region as part of a drive to hit Russian war assets. A Russian missile attack killed at least five people and wounded 25 in the industrial city of Samar on Friday, Ukrainian officials said.
The Guardian
28-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv hits warplanes in Russia as missile attack kills five in Ukraine
Ukraine's military has said it struck four warplanes at an airbase in central Russia's Volgograd region as part of a drive to hit Russian war assets. It said on Telegram it had hit four Su-34 aircraft at the Marinovka base outside the city of Volgograd, about 900km (550 miles) from the Ukrainian border. The post on Friday said the operation was conducted by the military's special operations branch, together with the SBU security service and other services of the military. 'According to preliminary information, four aircraft were hit, specifically SU-34 planes, as well as technical-operational facilities where different warplanes are serviced and repaired,' the statement said. There was no immediate comment from the Russian military. Ukraine's military said the damage to Marinovka was being assessed and described the Su-34 as Russia's main aircraft used in bombing raids on Ukrainian territory. Volgograd governor Andrei Bocharov on Friday listed the region's Kalanchyovsky district where Marinovka is located among three areas targeted by Ukrainian drones and said traffic on the bridge over the Don River in the district was temporarily restricted. A Russian missile attack killed at least five people and wounded 25 in the industrial city of Samar in Ukraine's south-east on Friday, officials said – the second strike on the city in three days. At least four of the wounded were in severe condition and taken to hospital, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said on Telegram. Officials gave no immediate details on damage in the city, where an attack on an infrastructure facility on Tuesday killed two people. In the Kherson region to the south, authorities urged residents on Friday to prepare for extended periods without power after a Russian attack hit a key energy facility. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said the attack caused power cuts in some settlements in the region, which is close to the front lines with Russian forces. Russia said its troops had captured the village of Nova Kruhlyakivka in Ukraine's eastern Kharkiv region. The report on Friday from Russian state news agency Tass, citing the defence ministry, could not be independently verified. Russian president Vladimir Putin said Russia and Ukraine's demands for peace were 'absolutely contradictory', after two rounds of talks have failed to bring a ceasefire. Russian and Ukrainian negotiators exchanged memorandums on how to end the war at talks in Istanbul this month and the Russian president said in Minsk on Friday: 'As for the memorandums, as expected, nothing surprising happened ... these are two absolutely contradictory memorandums.' At the press conference in Minsk after a meeting with allies in Belarus, Putin also denounced what he called an 'aggressive' pledge by Nato members to increase their defence spending to 5% of GDP. US president Donald Trump called Nato's decision a 'big win' for western civilisation. Putin also said on Friday that Russia was ready to hold a new round of peace talks with Ukraine, potentially in Istanbul, although the time and venue had yet to be agreed.
